Tax Problems for News Groups in Hong Kong

May 4, 2026, 12:10
HKPolitics

Introduction

The Hong Kong Journalists Association says the government is checking the taxes of independent news groups and reporters.

Main Body

The tax office asked for a lot of money from news groups. One group had to pay HK$730,000. This is much more than last year. Since May 2025, the office checked eight news groups and 20 people. Some groups paid small amounts of money. One group, InMedia, did nothing wrong. But they spent HK$40,000 to pay accountants to check their books. The Journalists Association is angry. They say the government wants to hurt the news groups. They say the government wastes money on these checks. Benjamin Chan is the head of the tax office. He says the office does not target journalists. He says they only check for people who do not pay their taxes.

Conclusion

The tax office says everything is fair. The Journalists Association says the checks are too hard for news groups.

Learning

⚡️ Action Words (Past vs. Present)

Look at how the story changes time.

Past (Finished)

  • Asked → The tax office requested money.
  • Paid → Money went to the office.
  • Spent → Money was used for accountants.

Present (Now/General)

  • Says → Someone is speaking now.
  • Wastes → This is happening repeatedly.
  • Does not target → This is a general rule.

💰 Money Talk

In A2 English, we use simple words to describe costs:

  • Small amounts = Not much money.
  • A lot of money = Very expensive.
  • Much more than = Comparing this year to last year.

🔍 Key Vocabulary

WordSimple Meaning
IndependentNot controlled by others
FairRight and honest
TargetTo pick one person/group to attack
CheckTo look for mistakes

Vocabulary Learning

tax (n.)
A charge or fee taken by the government for services or to pay for public goods.
Example:The tax on the car was high.
money (n.)
Currency used to buy goods, pay for services, or save.
Example:She saved her money in a jar.
group (n.)
A number of people or things together.
Example:The group went to the park.
reporter (n.)
A person who writes or broadcasts news stories.
Example:The reporter interviewed the mayor.
office (n.)
A place where people work, usually with desks and computers.
Example:I work in the office.
check (v.)
To look at something carefully to see if it is correct.
Example:Please check the spelling.
amount (n.)
A quantity of something, especially money.
Example:The amount of sugar is enough.
pay (v.)
To give money for goods or services.
Example:I will pay the bill.
year (n.)
A period of twelve months used to measure time.
Example:It is 2025 this year.
people (n.)
Human beings, usually used to refer to a group.
Example:Many people came to the event.
small (adj.)
Not large in size or amount.
Example:She has a small dog.
wrong (adj.)
Not correct or not right.
Example:That is the wrong answer.
spent (v.)
Used money or time for something.
Example:He spent $20 on coffee.
accountant (n.)
A person who checks and records money matters.
Example:The accountant prepared the report.
book (n.)
A set of written or printed pages bound together.
Example:I read a book.
angry (adj.)
Feeling upset or mad.
Example:She was angry about the delay.
government (n.)
The group of people who run a country or state.
Example:The government made a new rule.
hurt (v.)
To cause pain or injury.
Example:The fall hurt his arm.
waste (v.)
To use something carelessly or without purpose.
Example:Do not waste water.
head (n.)
The upper part of a person or animal, containing the brain.
Example:He has a strong head.
target (v.)
To aim at or focus on something.
Example:The aim targets the center.
fair (adj.)
Just, equal, or unbiased.
Example:The game was fair.
hard (adj.)
Difficult to do or understand.
Example:The test is hard.